High bacteria level keeps Western NC lake closed

Published: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 9:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 8:55 p.m.

ASHEVILLE (AP) — A popular swimming and fishing site south of Asheville is likely to remain closed for the rest of the week because of high levels of bacteria.

The swim beach at Lake Powhatan in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest remained closed Wednesday.

Judy Doyle, the director of campground for the association that manages the lake and campground, said the lake was closed last Saturday due to a higher than normal bacteria count. She said it remains open for fishing, camping and picknicking.

Doyle says tests taken Monday showed levels of fecal coliform were still high. More samples were taken Wednesday and the results are expected on Thursday.

Doyle said lake closures at this time of year are typical. When the water levels rise, from all the heavy rain, it tends to wash down human and animal waste into the lake, she said.

"Unfortunately it's the typical thing that happens in summer in mountain lakes," she said. "It could be from children swimming, from geese, deer, even some bear. We're all downstream from something."

The lake, which received 25,000 visitors last year, is open daily from April 1 to the end of October.

<p>ASHEVILLE (AP) — A popular swimming and fishing site south of Asheville is likely to remain closed for the rest of the week because of high levels of bacteria.</p><p>The swim beach at Lake Powhatan in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest remained closed Wednesday.</p><p>Judy Doyle, the director of campground for the association that manages the lake and campground, said the lake was closed last Saturday due to a higher than normal bacteria count. She said it remains open for fishing, camping and picknicking.</p><p>Doyle says tests taken Monday showed levels of fecal coliform were still high. More samples were taken Wednesday and the results are expected on Thursday.</p><p>Doyle said lake closures at this time of year are typical. When the water levels rise, from all the heavy rain, it tends to wash down human and animal waste into the lake, she said.</p><p>"Unfortunately it's the typical thing that happens in summer in mountain lakes," she said. "It could be from children swimming, from geese, deer, even some bear. We're all downstream from something."</p><p>The lake, which received 25,000 visitors last year, is open daily from April 1 to the end of October.</p><p>___</p>